SWALLOW THE SHADOW

The room is bare. Warm. Dark. A brazier at your back lights the space, but its lurid glow does not reach the endless darkness hiding unknown depths in the ceiling above. The brazier casts your shadow, larger than life, across the wall before you. Your shadow-self looms, as if staring back.

TWIST, TURN BACK

FEET FORWARD.

You approach the wall that bears your image. The closer you get, the smaller your shadow grows, its power waning. Do you have the right to take their might?
Stop. Step. Back. Stop. Step. Back. Step. Stop.
Smaller. Larger. Smaller. Larger.
The giant grows and shrinks in accordance with your dance. You can't help but wonder— does it hurt?
Forward. Back. Forward. Back.
Would you dare diminish that which was cast in your own image?

BOUND, IT BEARS YOUR BURDEN

THE WISP WISHES TO WANDER.

Stop
It cannot move unless you move, cannot thrive unless you thrive.
Consider
You are your shadow's cruel jailer. But what are you without it?

STRINGS, WITHOUT A PUPPET

HAMMER. WITH NO NAIL.

You need it.
You NEED it.
YOU NEED IT.
The shadow stands still as you stare at it. It stares back, larger than you'll ever be.

WORSHIP, WEAK WHELP

BEG. BLIND BEAST.

Say the words say the words say the words
Repeat
Give me purpose!
Give me purpose!
Give me purpose!
Repeat
Give me purpose!
Give me purpose!
Give me purpose!
It flickers across the wall, indifferent. You know what it wants.

SWIFTLY, SLICE THE STRINGS

FREE THE FORM. PULL THE PINS.

Breathe
Back
Breathe
Back
Larger and larger
Breathe
Back
Breathe
Back
The fire is near, hot against your body. You're too close you're too close you're too close.

BEND BACK, BURNING YOUR BURDEN

PULL THE PINS. SLICE THE STRINGS.

The flames lick, sharp tongues trailing up your body as you bend backwards into the brazier
Breathe
Bend
Burn

THE SINGER SINGED, SCORCHED WITH SCORN

Breathe
Bend
Burn

THE BRUTE BURNED. BAKED BY BLISS.

Your shadow smiles, stands and

SWALLOWS THE SINNER